When Sam and Ryan McCartney, Hudson’s Mum and Dad were preparing for a quiet Easter bank holiday in March 2024, they had no idea their world was about to change forever. At 35 weeks pregnant, Sam noticed reduced movements and went in for a scan. The scan revealed that one side of their baby’s heart hadn’t developed properly, and blood flow was abnormal. That same day, baby Hudson was delivered by emergency caesarean section and transferred to intensive care.
At first, Hudson seemed stable, breathing with minimal support. But within days, doctors discovered he had a rare genetic condition called Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (22q13 deletion). Although not considered life-limiting, Hudson began to face a series of serious complications – liver and kidney issues, insulin regulation problems, and severe fluid build-up in his abdomen (ascites).
Despite the efforts of specialists across Reading, Southampton, and King’s College London, no clear cause could be found. Each time one issue was managed, another would arise. Eventually, Hudson’s abdomen became so swollen that it compressed his lungs and heart. His parents were told there was nothing more that could be done.
Hudson spent his final days in a family room on the ward, where Sam and Ryan cared for him as if they were at home. They took him outside in a buggy for the very first time, enjoying a walk in the sunshine. On 26th May 2024, at just a few weeks old, Hudson died peacefully in his parents’ arms.
Finding support after loss
In the days following Hudson’s death, Sam and Ryan’s first thoughts were for their daughters -Amelia (12), Emma (10), and Beau (3). They worried about how the girls would cope with losing their baby brother. A nurse who knew of Helen & Douglas House suggested the hospice and made a referral.
Beau, just three at the time, had formed a beautiful bond with Hudson during his time in hospital. She wasn’t fazed by the wires or tubes and continues to talk about him every day. Though she’s too young for formal counselling, she knows Hudson is a star in the sky and looks out for him.
The hospice’s sibling support team reached out first, offering one-to-one sessions for Emma and Amelia. These sessions, held in school, gave the girls a safe space to talk. They also attended bereavement activity days and camps, where they met other children who had lost siblings.
Sam, Hudson’s Mum said: “Emma really benefited from her one-to-one sessions. She told her counsellor, ‘I don’t cry in front of Mum and Dad because they’re grieving too.’ The sessions helped her realise it’s OK for us all to cry together.”
Emma, Hudson’s sister added: “I have found the 121 and group sibling sessions very helpful in dealing with the loss of my baby brother. It has made me realise I am not alone and there are others who can relate to how I am feeling and I can talk about Hudson with other children who understand what I am going through.”
A lifeline for parents
Sam initially tried one-to-one counselling but found it wasn’t quite the right fit. She was open to group sessions and encouraged Ryan to join her, even though he was hesitant at first.
Ryan, Hudson’s Dad said: “I was stupidly going down the wrong route of drinking a lot. That was my way of coping. Without counselling, I think I’d still be in that situation now.”
The group sessions became a turning point. Sitting with other bereaved parents, Sam and Ryan found a space where they could cry, talk, and learn from others who truly understood.
Sam said: “We would never cry together – ‘I’d cry upstairs and he’d cry in the car whilst working. Now we can sit and cry together and talk about Hudson.”
They also picked up practical strategies for supporting their daughters and made lasting friendships with other parents. These connections continue through meetups, phone calls, and a WhatsApp group.
Keeping Hudson’s memory alive
For the McCartney family, fundraising has become a powerful way to honour Hudson’s memory and give back to the hospice that supported them. They’ve taken part in events like the Butterfly Bimble and the Bubble Rush 2025, bringing together friends and family to walk and run in Hudson’s name.
Seeing Hudson’s name on a t-shirt, hearing it spoken aloud, and knowing he is remembered -these moments mean everything.
Sam and Ryan said: “It’s something to look forward to. We’re doing it in Hudson’s name, and when you see all the other families walking too, you realise how many people Helen & Douglas House has helped.”
A message of hope
The McCartneys’ story is one of unimaginable heartbreak, but also of resilience, love, and the power of community. Through the support of Helen & Douglas House, they’ve found a way to grieve together, support their daughters, and keep Hudson’s memory alive.
“You don’t realise how many families need this support until you’re in it yourself,” – Sam
Hudson’s light continues to shine – in the stars, in his sisters and in every step his family takes to honour him.
